Projected lineup: Rangers' Kaapo Kakko itching for chance to make up for slow start

TARRYTOWN - Kaapo Kakko isn't too interested in hearing about analytics.

The bottom line for the Rangers' young forward is that his positive underlying numbers didn't lead to enough tangible results in the 20 games before he got hurt.

"I didn't like those games at all," he said following Tuesday's morning skate at the MSG Training Center. "I think I didn't play (well), and then in the end, I didn't play that much also. That means I didn't play (well)."

Kakko managed only three points (two goals and one assist) prior to his Nov. 27 lower-body injury, which was especially discouraging considering that 11 of those 20 games came on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.

In 120:57 time on ice together, that trio was only credited with two goals, according to Natural Stat Trick. They were stout defensively while allowing just one, but Kakko knows he wasn't selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 NHL Draft to be a low-scoring grinder.

He tried not to spend too much of his month-and-a-half on injured reserve overthinking those offensive struggles, but he came to a realization about needing to assert himself with the puck and work more areas of the ice.

"I feel I was just staying in front of the net," he said. "We need one guy over there, but I think I need to move a little more and get some pucks. I also need to try to keep it a little more. That’s my game."

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has sneaky strength to go along with his notable skill, with his ability to protect pucks in traffic and make plays from crowded situations a clear strong suit. His possession stats reflect that, with the Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko line registering a 58.29% xGF and 55.56% shot share prior to Kakko's return in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals.

They've posted an unsightly 4% shooting percentage − which means opposing goalies have a .960% save percentage against them − but the favorable metrics remained in the back of Peter Laviolette's mind during Kakko's 21-game absence.

"They generated a lot of zone time and chances," the Blueshirts' head coach said. "The actual production was just off a little bit."

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That's why Laviolette didn't waste any time inserting Kakko back in that spot as soon as he was ready to return.

The bench boss was mostly encouraged by what he saw, with the 22-year-old posting two shots on goal on four attempts and two hits in 16:04 TOI.

"I do think he had some chances around the net," Laviolette said prior to Tuesday's 7 p.m. home game against the Seattle Kraken. "He could have scored a couple of goals. He generated offensively. I think tonight we will be an even better look. It's his second game back. We're not in a back-to-back situation for our guys, and hopefully the engine ramps up and we play with just a little bit more attitude from an offensive standpoint."

Part of that decision was by necessity after a lengthy experiment with veteran Blake Wheeler at 1RW stalled out. Jonny Brodzinski and rookie Will Cuylle also received brief looks there, but with Alexis Lafrenière locked in on the Rangers' best line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, it's become clear that Kakko is the top remaining option at one of the organization's thinnest positions.

He's had ample chances to secure a permanent home there in recent years, and while the analytics are working in his favor, he knows there's no substitute for real points.

"I've been trying as hard as I can," he said. "There's nothing else you can do about. Sometimes it comes easily, and sometimes it feels like you're never going to score a goal. That happens, but I think I just need one soon, and then hopefully feel better after that."

NY Rangers (27-13-2) projected lineup: Game 43 vs. Seattle Kraken (19-15-9)

When: Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.

Where: Madison Square Garden

TV/Radio: MSG Network/98.7 FM

Forwards

Top line ⊳ Chris Kreider (LW) ⋄ Mika Zibanejad (C) ⋄ Kaapo Kakko (RW)

Second line ⊳ Artemi Panarin (LW) ⋄ Vincent Trocheck (C) ⋄ Alexis Lafrenière (RW)

Third line ⊳ Will Cuylle (LW) ⋄ Jonny Brodzinski (C) ⋄ Blake Wheeler (RW)

Fourth line ⊳ Jimmy Vesey (LW) ⋄ Nick Bonino (C) ⋄ Barclay Goodrow (RW)

Defensemen

Top pair ⊳ Ryan Lindgren (L) ⋄ Adam Fox (R)

Second pair ⊳ K'Andre Miller (L) ⋄ Jacob Trouba (R)

Third pair ⊳ Erik Gustafsson (L) ⋄ Braden Schneider (R)

Goalies

Starter ⊳ Igor Shesterkin

Backup ⊳ Jonathan Quick

Long-term injured reserve: F Filip Chytil (upper body)

Injured: Tyler Pitlick (lower body)

Healthy scratch: D Zac Jones

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Projected lineup: Rangers' Kaapo Kakko aims to make up for slow start